By Ologeh Joseph Chibu
Reports saying their was a Monday explosion at Zungeru Dam has been debunked.
The widely reported case said there was explotion at the hydroelectric power station, the Zungeru power plant which is yet to be officially commissioned.
The reports said the Dam was hit by an explosion, which resulted in many workers sustaining various degrees of injuries and damage to some facilities.
But in its response, anthorities at the Dam urged members of the public to disregard the report.
In a statement titled “Fake Report Alert,” a police spokesperson clarified, “There is no report of any kind of explosion at Zungeru Dam, contrary to claims by some online media.”
The public has been urged to disregard the misleading reports.
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu also confirmed that no explosion occurred at the Zungeru Power Plant in Niger State.
The statement was issued in response to the rumours of the explosion that had taken place at the Zungeru Hydroelectric Dam, said to have injured several people and damaging dam installations
The special adviser on Strategic Communication and Media relations to the Minister of Power, Mr Bolaji Tunji described the explosion report as “a figment of the imagination of the purveyors of such information.”
He said the “Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has refuted reports on some social media platforms claiming an explosion occurred at Zungeru power on Monday,” Mr. Tunji said.
He assured that the Zungeru power plant is operational and performing at full capacity. “I have spoken with the Managing Director of Mainstream Energy and can confirm that nothing of the sort took place in Zungeru. The plant is working and continues to supply power to the grid,” he added.
Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited, the parent company of Penstock Limited, which manages the Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant, also dismissed claims of an explosion at the plant.
In a statement titled “Fake News of an Explosion at Zungeru Hydro Power Plant” and posted on X.com on Monday, the management of MESL condemned the “false and mischievous report.”
The statement read, “The fake news concerning an explosion at the Zungeru Hydropower Plant with resulting casualties, published in newspapers on July 1, 2024, and circulated on social media, has been brought to our attention.
“We strongly object to this false and mischievous report, categorically stating that no such incident occurred.
“This report is not only false but also highly irresponsible and insensitive, given the pervasive nature of insecurity issues in Nigeria.”
The board and management of the Zungeru Hydro Power Plant reassured the public that “the Zungeru Hydropower Plant is intact and continues to power Nigerian homes and businesses after successfully concluding a 15-day test run that significantly boosted power supply to the grid.”
Zungeru Dam is the fourth dam in Niger State, following the Jebba, Kainji, and Shiroro dams.
